Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company, is taking precautionary measures to review and improve its safety procedures after the state of California suspended its operations. Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, has decided to immediately stop driverless operations across the United States, including Texas, following the announcement of the suspension by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The company seeks to rebuild public trust by examining its internal processes, systems and tools.
Cruise emphasized its commitment to safety, saying: “This decision is not based on recent incidents on the road and managed autonomous vehicle operations will continue.” The company recognizes the importance of being extra vigilant during this time and prioritizes risk management to ensure the highest level of security.
The California DMV has suspended Cruise’s testing and deployment permit for autonomous robotaxis due to the ongoing investigation into the recent incident. In early October, a pedestrian was hit by a human driver, throwing him in front of a Cruise robotaxi. The car did not stop in time, causing the pedestrian to be trapped under it. The California DMV and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched investigations into the incident.
This suspension follows concerns previously raised by the California DMV in August, when several incidents involving Cruise vehicles in San Francisco were investigated. As a result, the DMV asked Cruise to temporarily remove half of its robotaxis from the roads, a request the company complied with.
In addition, NHTSA launched an independent safety investigation in December to evaluate the performance of Cruise’s self-driving system. The investigation was prompted by two rear-end collisions in which Cruise vehicles experienced inappropriate harsh braking or lost motion.
Cruise’s decision to end driverless operations reflects its commitment to maximum safety and proactive attention to any concerns. The company’s continued focus on risk management and dedication to rebuilding public trust will pave the way for safer, more reliable autonomous driving technology.
Frequently asked questions:
- Why did Cruise suspend driverless operations?
- Will supervised autonomous vehicle operations continue?
- Why was Cruise suspended at the California DMV?
- What prompted the California DMV investigation in August?
Cruise has suspended driverless operations in response to a suspension imposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The decision was made to review and improve security procedures, while prioritizing risk management and rebuilding public trust.
Yes, Cruise clarified that supervised autonomous vehicle operations will continue despite the suspension of driverless operations. The company remains committed to ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
The suspension is due to an ongoing investigation into a recent incident in which a pedestrian was hit by a human driver, after colliding with a Cruise robotaxi. The California DMV found it necessary to suspend its permits for the testing and deployment of autonomous robotaxis during the investigation.
In August, the California DMV launched an investigation into past incidents involving Cruise vehicles in San Francisco. These incidents have sparked concern, leading to a request for Cruise to temporarily remove half of its robotaxis from the roads. The investigation seeks to ensure the safety and reliability of Cruise vehicles.
